Ten things you can do yourself to improve website conversion
Ten things you can do yourself to improve website conversion
There are several simple, high-impact changes you can make today to help turn more visitors into leads, customers, or subscribers.
1. Add fresh content.
82% of AI results are content that was updated within the past 2 years.
2. Fix spelling errors.
Poor spelling and grammar will cost you ranking in search results. Google sees websites with poor spelling and grammar as less trustworthy. I often copy my website pages into Word to do a spelling and grammar check. I also use the Grammarly Chrome add-in to do live spelling checks as I write.
3. Clarify Your Value Proposition
Make sure your homepage (and landing pages) clearly explain what you do, who you do it for, and why it matters. If someone can’t “get it” in 5 seconds, they’ll bounce, and that will impact your rankings.
4. Use Clear, Compelling Calls to Action (CTAs)
Your CTA should stand out and clearly tell visitors what to do next—whether it’s Get a Quote, Schedule a Demo, or Download the Guide. Make sure the button text stands out.
5. Speed Up Your Website
Slow websites kill conversions. Run a speed test and follow the suggestions to compress images, reduce scripts, and eliminate unnecessary plugins.
6. Add Social Proof
People trust people. Add testimonials, case studies, star ratings, reviews, and logos of companies you’ve worked with to build credibility and reduce hesitation. A testimonial that says Joe was great,” isn’t a good testimonial because it doesn’t mention what you did that was meaningful to them. Testimonials should be specific. What specifically about working with you was different and/or helpful to your client.
7. Simplify Your Forms
If your forms are long or confusing, people won’t fill them out. Cut unnecessary fields, and only ask for the minimum info you need. Make sure the fields are large enough for users with fat fingers (like me) to enter the text, especially on a cellphone.
8. Use Heatmaps and Session Recordings
Install free tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity to see how users interact with your pages—where they click, scroll, and drop off. This data can highlight what’s not working.
9. Improve Mobile Usability
Google uses a mobile-first index – how does the your website perform on mobile devices? Check your site on your own phone: is the text readable? Are buttons easy to click? Fix anything that frustrates the mobile experience.
10. Use Clear Navigation
Don’t make users hunt for information, especially your phone number. I prefer the phone number be in the top right corner of the Header. Move the social media icons into the footer. They aren’t the most important part of your website (unless you are one of those social media companies.) Use a clean menu, organize your pages logically, and make sure your “Contact,” “Pricing,” and “About” pages are easy to find.11
11. Include a Live Chat Widget
Live chat tools are easy to install and let you answer questions in real time. This boosts engagement and reduces bounce rates.
12. Add Trust Badges and Security Seals
Use SSL certificates, payment trust logos, and privacy policy links to reduce hesitation if you are a shopping site. If you don’t have a security certificate for your website (https at the front of your domain name) then buy one from your hosting company and have your website agency apply it throughout your website (On every page, not just the shopping cart!). Web browsers today will put up an site is unsecure warning and your prospects may never get to your website to convert to clients. A security certificate is usually a once a year renewal, like your domain name.
BONUS TIP.
Write for Humans, Not Just Google
Good SEO is important, but don’t forget the human. Use plain, friendly language. Answer your customers’ questions clearly. Make every word serve a purpose.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a marketing degree—or a big budget—to make your website work harder for you.
Focus on clarity, simplicity, and your customer’s experience—and your site will naturally do a better job turning visitors into action-takers.
